Water Colors is a 2003 Catalina 380 with a two cabin, one head layout, a queen berth aft and a private door into the head. The shoal draft wing keel suits the Chesapeake, and the classic main sits on a Dutchman flaking system with all lines led to the cockpit. The boat was kept in fresh water on Lake Erie until 2018 and is in above average condition for its age.
Cruising World named the Catalina 380 its Midsize Cruiser of the Year in 1997, and nearly three decades later the model still has a dedicated following. The Catalina 380 International Association has more than 250 members around the world and shares technical help, owner improvements and the factory manual online.
Gerry Douglas designed the 380 heavier than most boats it gets compared with, carrying roughly 5,000 lb more displacement than its lighter rivals. Practical Sailor notes the extra weight gives "a more comfortable ride" and makes the boat "more capable in a squall or big waters." Cruising World called the construction "simple, but stiff and strong," with a molded grid bonded into the hull, and Sailing Magazine's testers found the boat "powerful, weatherly" on the wind.
The cockpit is where the 380 stands apart. Sailing Magazine called it "sinfully large with excellent all round visibility," and the stern rail seats are some of the best seats on the water. A walk through transom opens onto the swim platform.
Below, 6 ft 9 in of headroom and a 12 ft beam make the interior feel large for a 38 foot boat, and nine opening hatches fill it with natural light. The aft cabin has an island queen berth with access from both sides, and the head has a separate shower stall, which Practical Sailor calls "a luxury on a 38 ft sailboat." Engine access is a standout too: Cruising World rated it "as good as it gets on a boat this size."
Water Colors came down to Maryland from Rhode Island, and the owners made substantial investments, primarily to make that passage easier and safer. In 2023 the boat got a full Garmin electronics suite with radar, an AIS transceiver and autopilot. In 2024 the mast came out, the standing rigging was replaced completely, and a new three blade Max Prop went on.The shoal draft wing keel draws 4'10", perfect for the shallow anchorages of the Chesapeake or ICW.

The boat was kept in fresh water on Lake Erie until 2018 and is in above average condition for its age.
For a 38 foot boat, the cockpit is spacious. The two stern rail seats are a highlight, with cup holders and BottomSider cushions of their own. The cockpit has a dodger, bimini and connector, plus a full removable screen enclosure. The open transom gives access to a swim platform with a hot and cold shower.

A 16,000 BTU reverse cycle heat and air system with analog controls sits in the salon and vents to the salon and the V berth. Five of the boat's six cabin fans have been upgraded, and the sixth, in the starboard aft cabin, is original and in good shape.

The L shaped galley cooks on propane and keeps food cold with 12 volt refrigeration. One of the two propane lockers was converted to an insulated ice chest.

All standing rigging was replaced in 2024 with the mast out. The North Sails main and 150% genoa both date from 2012. A Sobstad 110% headsail of unknown age is included; it was listed as like new when the current owners bought the boat, and the cloth is still crinkly, with light UV wear.

The Garmin suite was installed in 2023 and replaced the previous Raymarine displays, instruments and autopilot control. A Standard Horizon VHF sits at the nav station, and the cockpit ram mic runs the mast mounted loud hailer.

The Yanmar 3JH3E 40HP has 1,092 hours, and its 1,000 hour service is done. The mixing elbow has been replaced, and in April 2025 the cooling system was serviced. The three blade Max Prop Easy went on in 2024.

Shore power is 30 amp, with inlets at the stern and inside the anchor locker(Allows the boat to pull into the slip bow first and have a better view and more privacy in the cockpit while at the dock.) All three batteries have been replaced with AGM, and there is a single Go Power 110W flexible solar panel (2024).

The bow has a Maxwell 800 windlass with foot switches. A new Vulcan 20 primary anchor is aboard, and 200 ft of Peerless high test chain was added in 2023. A 45 lb CQR conveys as a spare.

Before the boat moved to salt water in 2018, the bottom was stripped and barrier coated. Bottom paint was redone in 2026.

The owners replaced the manual head with a Raritan electric fresh water flush head and upgraded the tank monitor to read the holding tank and two of the three fresh water tanks.

A mast mounted loud hailer serves instead of a horn, plus a manual horn. The CO detectors were replaced in 2025.

Listing MLS by Yachtr.com
